By Olanrewaju Agiri
Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent cash reward to the Super Falcons, mixed reactions have emerged on social and mainstream media. Amid this, some members of the Unified Supporters Club who traveled to Morocco to support the team are voicing their dissatisfaction regarding their exclusion and the lack of recognition for their contributions during the presidential dinner.
Most of these supporters that craved anonymity while speaking with the sporting press expressed their displeasure for not even acknowledging their efforts after leaving their comfort zone to travel with their resources to support the Super Falcons.
It will be recalled that most of the supporters’ club members could not leave due to lack of funds, as there was no sponsor or support from any quarter. The first batch struggled on their own to purchase air tickets. Led by the Kwara State chapter chairman of the supporters club,
Architect Olubunmi Komolafe Dickson, popularly known as Dickalo, they departed Nigeria via Air Marco on Thursday, July 17, so they could cheer the girls that will be playing a crucial quarter-final match against the Zambians at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco, on Friday, July 18.
Others joined from the semifinal, and for them to have an appreciable number of Nigerians to cheer the team, they had to mobilize the Nigerian community in Morocco with the help of Mr. Pere Noel Ageli, who is the chairman of the Nigerian people living in Morocco.
“We stayed in the Washington Hotel in Casablanca for over 2 weeks cheering on the Super Falcons and spending our money; hence, we deserved a mention while the president was hosting the contingents even if they didn’t give us monetary rewards,” said one of the supporters’ club members.
“In a football tournament, supporters play a vital role; we act as a powerful force that can influence team performance, atmosphere, and the overall experience of the game. Our presence and actions significantly impact a team’s morale, create a vibrant atmosphere, and even indirectly influence match outcomes; hence, we deserve to be appreciated by the President too.”
The member emphasized that recognition from the leadership would not only boost the supporters’ spirits but also strengthen the bond between the fans and the team. “When we feel valued, we pour even more passion into our support, which ultimately benefits everyone involved in the sport,” they concluded.
